North Korea’s third nuclear test on Feb. 12, which was conducted in defiance of existing UN resolutions, has drawn condemnation from around the world. It has been argued that the act has increased the risk of a proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and threatens stability in the region.

North Korea is a poor country. It is already sanctioned by UN resolutions, which prevent it from trading with other countries to obtain necessary products to feed its people; it is restricted in communicating with the rest of the world; and it is considered by many as a rogue state that can “threaten” several other countries.

North Korea is a resilient country. Despite all the prohibitions, sanctions, condemnation and the poverty it faces, it can still make big leaps in technology, such as putting a satellite into orbit and developing nuclear technology. Given that progress, why doesn’t the world embrace it, offer it help and ask it to join the world community and treat it as fairly as we treat other countries.

How can an underground test threaten others? Let’s compare it to countries that already have nuclear bombs in their arsenal; bombs that are ready for use at a moment’s notice. Isn’t that more threatening than just a test?

Look at Iran. It is a signatory of the non-proliferation treaty (NPT), which allows signatory countries to develop civilian energy programs, as long as the technology is not used for the development of nuclear weapons. So, why has Iran been sanctioned via so many UN resolutions, and even threatened, despite there being no proof that the authorities are developing a nuclear bomb?

Compare Iran to Israel, a state that has not signed the NPT, but is strongly believed to have nuclear bombs. It has never been sanctioned by the UN. Isn’t that weird?